A Catholic Response to the Death of a Murderer

Here is a great article on a “proper” response from Catholic’s to the killing of Osama Bin Laden. I know when I was watching the news last night with my wife and oldest son, I was embarrassed at the reactions from the crowds in front of the White House. Violence and death is never to be cheered; it is always a loss for humanity.

Also the Vatican spokesman made a great statement as well. He stated:

“Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end,” Father Lombardi said.

“In the face of a man’s death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred,” the spokesman said.

In this time of Divine Mercy we need to reflect on God’s mercy even on the souls who fall into great sin. The healing is never in vindication. We as Catholics know that healing is in forgiveness. This is a solemn moment for all.

My experience of watching the mostly college age crowd (those first to respond to the news of UBLs) was not one of embarrassment but rather a sense of puzzlement. Many in this group had been children at the time of the attack on the WTC.

They are a generation who has grown up watching angry crowds jeer and cheer at the tragic demise of the thousands of lives lost on 9/11. Maybe they feel the need to compensate for the hurt that they saw in the faces of family and friends around them, maybe they have felt a sorrow that has never healed. Yet, maybe they have not yet learned about the importance/the need of mercy for one’s enemy and forgiveness in the face of terrorism and hatred.

I do not know how they would explain their actions; I am sure the reasons are as varied as each person’s experience. As Catholics, our work is to teach by living Christ’s compassion and temperance through our words and actions, not only for those who hate and do harm to us, but also for those in our community who respond in un-Christian ways with cheering at the death of an enemy. It is our Catholic responsibility to teach others of our Lord’s Divine Mercy.